What does dave think of it?

What does dave think of it?

I have no opinion because I am too busy with the usual family matters associated with Memorial Day. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, in other words what takes precedence over everything else -- food, sustenance and partying.

fhunter wrote: Mon May 31, 2010 11:19 am Ok, here it is: http://fhunter.mine.nu/place_on_earth.torrent. This should work

Thanks, but uhhh, this link just gives me a page full of meaningless characters?

Paolo's review:

I recently got my hands on a copy of this film, and it’s not – per say – “dangerous”. There are NOT “a lot of castration scenes in it.” In fact, there isn’t even ONE. As for castration, the film does touch on the subject in two areas:

The police who raid the commune make the comment that the male members should all be castrated, so that they won’t be able to breed.

The leader of the commune castrates himself, but you don’t see it happen. This subplot takes place outside the commune, and “our hero” is brought back by some friends, bleeding profusely, and treated for his wounds. Later on, you do see a fairly good job of makeup, simulating his auto-nullification. The only thing “dangerous” I see about this, is the fact that he does it himself, heals far too quickly, and without complications.

The movie itself is well filmed, with respect to the use of black and white, contrast, subject matter, compositions, and themes. Those interested in the humanitarian or social aspects of a film about life in a commune will appreciate it. Those looking for a thrill, or looking for action, will be bored out of their minds. This is a movie that you have to watch and appreciate for what it is – a study in human nature.

The main theme of the film is, of course, life in a commune. The commune exists, from what we see on screen, in a large and run down apartment building. Everything, including the children, is treated as community property. The leader, who doesn’t seem to have a name, continually lectures about everyone who follows him is evolving beyond “normal people,” who are, according to him, boring and unenlightened.

At the beginning of the film, we see two newcomers to the commune. These two characters will be very important in contrasting the problems and “benefits” of commune life.

Simply put, life in this commune is NOT easy, and it is certainly NOT the Utopia that their leader continually tells them that it is. However, many of his followers do not see the squalor, disease, and overall misery all around them. For the most part, many of them are perfectly happy.

Things begin to come fall apart, however, when the leader’s wife (we assume she’s his wife) decides to leave him. She was apparently considering this before his auto-castration, however, this act only cements her decision to leave.

When she does leave, the leader suddenly begins to realize what he has done, and begins to see his “utopia” for what it really is – a real mess, to put it lightly.

The best part of the movie is the contrast between the young man – who believes that the commune is everything that the leader preaches, and the young lady who comes to the commune, regarding the leader as a Christlike figure, and who is then rejected by him when realization dawns upon him.

Warning – there are subtle sexual acts, and a few naked children and babies wandering by, but the film does NOT focus on the children at all. There is one instance where a commune member accidentally lies down on a baby, thus crushing and killing him. Anyone who plans to watch the film should be aware of this.

But as I said, if you’re looking for castration scenes, this isn’t the movie for you.